Strictly Come Dancing final 2014: Caroline Flack wins glitterball trophy

The Xtra Factor presenter triumphed on the rival Saturday night show

Matilda Battersby
Saturday 20 December 2014 18:23 EST
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Caroline Flack became the tenth winner of Strictly Come Dancing
Caroline Flack became the tenth winner of Strictly Come Dancing (PA)

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Having made Strictly Come Dancing history by receiving a perfect score of 120 points from the judges, Caroline Flack has been named the tenth winner of the BBC1 dancing competition.

Despite fierce competition, the Xtra Factor presenter had been the bookies’ favourite having received the first full marks score of the series from judges Darcey Bussell, Len Goodman, Craig Revel Horwood and Bruno Toniolo last Saturday.

Caroline and her dance partner Pasha Kovalev tripled that result tonight having performed a flawless cha-cha-cha and a “brave” show dance that would have won her a place in judge Darcey’s ballet company.

Her final dance of the evening was a Charleston to “Istanbul (Not Constantinople)” by They Might Be Giants. It was described as “absolutely phenomenal” by Craig who said she had melted his cold heart. Darcey called it the best Charleston of the series and described her as “the perfect naughty little flapper”.

“This is the best feeling in the whole world. This is the best moment of my whole life,” Caroline said as she was presented with the glitter ball trophy.

Mark Wright was eliminated in the first part of the two-part final
Mark Wright was eliminated in the first part of the two-part final (PA)

After 15 weeks in the competition Caroline found herself in the final three competing against two pop stars: The Saturdays’ Frankie Bridge and Blue’s Simon Webbe.

“I think Strictly has made me a bit more optimistic about everything,” Caroline said. “I'm going to miss Pasha so much. He's completely looked after me. It has been a beautiful journey and even the tough bits have been beautiful.”

“Caroline was like a beautiful flower without sound. Now she has been on Strictly she has completely opened up,” said Pasha.

Tonight’s two-part final saw The Only Way Is Essex star Mark Wright eliminated after the first show. Having been scored the least by the judges on the basis of his first two performances, the public’s votes didn’t secure his place in the final three.

Simon and Kristina’s Argentine Tango earned them the only other perfect score of the competition. He was described by Len as having “scaled a mountain” to get to the standard he showed tonight.

Craig Revel Horwood described Flack's final Charleston dance as being “absolutely phenomenal”
Craig Revel Horwood described Flack's final Charleston dance as being “absolutely phenomenal” (PA)

Frankie, who has been a strong contender thought the competition, was described as “fab-u-lous” by Craig and impressed the judges this evening with her fiery paso doble to West Side Story tune “America.”

Tonight’s show, presented by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, included a performance by Take That and previous contestants including Judy Murray and Pixie Lott returned to perform a group dance.

It was also announced that Sir Bruce Forsyth will make a return appearance on the show’s Christmas Special which will be broadcast on 25 December at 5pm.

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